We advocate for a just, fair, and decent society, and mentor the next generation of social justice leaders.
Statement on Dobbs and Reproductive Justice
Today’s abomination has come about because of unprincipled and dishonest Justices. Let’s finally abandon the fallacy that most Justices decide cases based on anything but their own – often warped — sense of right and wrong. Clearly, we have a bunch of far-right, out-of-touch politicians at the Supreme Court. They’re hurting people, polluting justice, and embarrassing the country. Our judiciary should be populated with wise, compassionate, intelligent, and caring people, not the narrow-minded ideologues we have today. Like so many thoughtless laws and policies, today’s decision will have a greater and more devastating impact on poor and marginalized people – the clients of the UJC.
Such a tragedy.
– Executive Director and Founder, Doug Lasdon
Happy Pride Month from UJC!
Since our inception, UJC has been a proud supporter of the queer community. In this time of celebration and recognition of all the work that has been done – and all the work that remains to be done – we continue to fight for the rights of all queer people to live with dignity.
We’re hiring a Director for our queer homeless youth project – find out more here!
Black Lives Matter
Introducing
Experience
Justice
Experience Justice is a team of lawyers with long careers in social justice fields, contributing our time, energy, and expertise to help address unmet needs for further reforms.
OUR WORK
Defending Individual Rights
Standing with the marginalized, ensuring every person’s rights are protected
Building Inclusive Community
Mentoring the next generation of social justice leaders
Fueling SYSTEMIC Change
Improving the systems by which all society attains and benefits from justice.
UJC IN 2021:
‘At Their Breaking Point’: Tenants Fight to Stay in Their Homes
New York Times
The dam will burst, said Raven S. Dorantes, a managing attorney of the Urban Justice Center’s Safety Net Project. It’s only a matter of time. “You are going to see a lot more folks at their breaking point,” she said.
Rikers Island, push for decarceration and a federal takeover?
Amsterdam News
Criminal justice advocate Darren Mack, co-director of [UJC's] Freedom Agenda, said that Rikers should have closed a long time ago because no one is safe there. “We need immediate decarceration, like the effort we saw at the beginning of COVID-19, with action from judges, prosecutors, and the DOC commissioner with the support of the mayor,” said Mack. “Without that, they are choosing to let people die.”City Jails Won’t Turn Over Shuttered Rikers Building on Path to Green Island
The City
Sarita Daftary, co-director of [UJC's] Freedom Agenda, an organization that’s part of the coalition that pushed Renewable Rikers, agreed. “OBCC should be transferred,” she said. “It makes sense to consolidate operations."
